A New 3D Virtual Reality-based Upper Limb Training to Improve Dexterity in Parkinson's Disease

A New 3D Virtual Reality-based Upper Limb Training to Improve Dexterity in Parkinson's Disease: a Randomized Pilot Study

We investigate the impact of a 4-week virtual reality-based upper limb training in Parkinson's disease. The benefits on dexterity of this training program will be evaluated.

For these purposes, a randomised, two arm, single assessor blind, parallel design with a monocentric, study setup will be performed.

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) suffer from significantly decreased coordination and have difficulties with precise hand/finger movements during the performance of both basic activities of daily living (ADL), such as dressing, grooming as well as higher ADL, such as cooking, shopping and regular medication intake. These difficulties further add to the burden of the disease, leading to reduced quality of life (QoL). A relatively new, but rapidly growing aspect of training in PD neurorehabilitation offers virtual reality (VR). We explore the effects of a VR-based upper limb hand training compared to a VR control training, which is less specific for dexterity. Moreover, we examine the effetcs of the trainings on upper limb related ADL, and therefore the impact on QoL in patients with PD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with confirmed PD, according to UK Brain bank Criteria
• Hoehn & Yahr Stadium I to IV
• Age 40 to 99 years
• written and signed informed consent
• self-reported dexterous difficulties

Exclusion Criteria:

• MoCA <21/30
• psychiatric disease
• participation on other interventional trials
• Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc.
• severe visual impairment